Scott Brady
Founder
It must rock at serious water crossings :sombrero:
Pics of your VAN! Post up!
- Thread starter adventureduo
- Start date
T.Low
Expedition Leader
87 Toyota 4wd 5-spd
Sweet little rig. Luv it. How much lift do you have?
While I have alwas liked the mid size and smaller vans, truth is, it was Yotavan Guru Roy Meyer's lifted white 4wd cargo van that pushed me over the edge and got me started researching vans for my ultimate shuttle rig.
NRL
New member
Here's a few shots in Anza Borrego thru the years of my resto-mod Ford 96 460 Big Block 4x4 E-350 and my buddy's 4x4 Van. We don't use trailers to get our dual sport bikes out to the desert; he uses a custom designed hitch bike carrier and I use the ultimatemotorjackrack(which sucks).
First pic is my buddies 4x4 van (Ujointoffroad: speced out and designed by Chris way back) possibly prototype 1, also a 96' (a great year)
Porch's(Rich) Ujointoffroad Prototype 1
Mine:
The Camp
The Bikes
Old Pic before a few mods
First pic is my buddies 4x4 van (Ujointoffroad: speced out and designed by Chris way back) possibly prototype 1, also a 96' (a great year)
Porch's(Rich) Ujointoffroad Prototype 1
Mine:
The Camp
The Bikes
Old Pic before a few mods
Last edited:
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Here's a few shots in Anza Borrego thru the years of my resto-mod Ford 96 460 Big Block 4x4 E-350 and my buddy's 4x4 Van. We don't use trailers to get our dual sport bikes out to the desert; he uses a custom designed hitch bike carrier and I use the ultimatemotorjackrack(which sucks).
First pic is my buddies 4x4 van (Ujointoffroad: speced out and designed by Chris way back) possibly prototype 1, also a 96' (a great year)
Porch's(Rich) Ujointoffroad Prototype 1
I recognize that van!!! How is Rich doin? Looks like you guys are still getting out & hitting the dirt, good news.
And yes, that van has one of my 1st hanger kits, setup for an earlier D60. Remember it as though it were yesterday!
TroySmith80
Adventurer
I'll copy and paste from the intro thread:
Troy from Bend, OR. I love traveling all over The West and am so, so happy to live in this part of the world.
Not really any kind of serious off-roader at all. I grew up on dirtbikes, then sportbikes, then dual sport. Have done a handful of long moto trips (1-2 weeks). Recently did 10 days of dual sporting in Peru from the Pacific Coast up into the Andes and into the edge of the Amazon Jungle. That was amazing, never done anything like that before.
Usually just road trips around the west. A year ago I sold my motorcycles and bought a 1984 Westfalia camper van (2WD, which i realize now was a mistake). I swapped in a 2004 Subaru 2.5L engine over the winter and have had some fantastic trips in the van.
I hate the feeling of being limited in where i can go, or being very nervous if i try, so now i'm trying to figure out a way to get into a 4WD camper van. Either domestic full-size or Syncro Vanagon. Leaning toward an older 4x4 E350 RB right now if i can find a way to pay for one!
Wow, that was like a full bio. Anyway, HI!
Troy from Bend, OR. I love traveling all over The West and am so, so happy to live in this part of the world.
Not really any kind of serious off-roader at all. I grew up on dirtbikes, then sportbikes, then dual sport. Have done a handful of long moto trips (1-2 weeks). Recently did 10 days of dual sporting in Peru from the Pacific Coast up into the Andes and into the edge of the Amazon Jungle. That was amazing, never done anything like that before.
Usually just road trips around the west. A year ago I sold my motorcycles and bought a 1984 Westfalia camper van (2WD, which i realize now was a mistake). I swapped in a 2004 Subaru 2.5L engine over the winter and have had some fantastic trips in the van.
I hate the feeling of being limited in where i can go, or being very nervous if i try, so now i'm trying to figure out a way to get into a 4WD camper van. Either domestic full-size or Syncro Vanagon. Leaning toward an older 4x4 E350 RB right now if i can find a way to pay for one!
Wow, that was like a full bio. Anyway, HI!
vanderpooch
Authentic Adventurer
AWESOME!!! :victory:
87TV4wd
New member
I've seen a few folks I recognize from other forums,,, so figured I'd post my fist post on ExPo in here. I've had a '78 & '82 E350 4x4, but currently needed something a bit more economical. Settled on the poor man's SMB, 1987 Toyota 4wd LE. 2" lift w/ 27x8.5 gets me in and out zones for surf/paddle/climb/MTB fun. As with everyone else here, she's a work in progress and will probably never be finished. Love all the pics!!!
TroySmith80
Adventurer
Nice 
Did you weld up that aluminum framework yourself? I'd love to know how to weld Al. My dad has a TiG welder, i guess i should get over to his shop and figure it out!
Did you weld up that aluminum framework yourself? I'd love to know how to weld Al. My dad has a TiG welder, i guess i should get over to his shop and figure it out!
87TV4wd
New member
Nice
Did you weld up that aluminum framework yourself? I'd love to know how to weld Al. My dad has a TiG welder, i guess i should get over to his shop and figure it out!
Thanks Troy. Yup, welded up the 1"x1"x0.125" alum sticks at work with a MIG welder. I'd rather use TIG, but I have to play with what I have. Just get some junk tubes or cutoffs from whatever you'll be welding and practice with that. I'm jealous of your work space,,, that place is awsome!!! I have no covered place to work on my van, so it only gets done when it's not raining. If I had your workspace I would've done close to a frame off resto for my TV.
For your 4x van desires, obviosuly depends on what you value most,,, offroad accessability or economy. TDi swapped in a Syncro Westy would be sweet, but can you say KA-CHING? My '82 E350 4x4 had a diesel and it was solid until a friend blew it up on a trip to Canada. You'd definitely got more van for your money going full size domestic,,, but the mileage won't put smiles on your face. If yer sponsored by Visa, then a 4x4 Sprinter would be choice.
TroySmith80
Adventurer
The workspace IS awesome isn't it?! I love it, it's my dad's shop, about 35 minutes drive from my house. What you can't see in the picture is the mill, lathe, drill press, steel rack, 2 or 3 mig welders, a tig welder, (no plasma cutter yet, c'mon pops!), and quite a few handy dandy oddball hand tools acquired over the last few generations in our family.
My plans would be much less ambitious were it not for that shop. I have serious respect for guys who can get stuff done in their driveway, without all the right tools. I have a hard enough time standing upright under my rig, with all the right tools!
My plans would be much less ambitious were it not for that shop. I have serious respect for guys who can get stuff done in their driveway, without all the right tools. I have a hard enough time standing upright under my rig, with all the right tools!
Hello, new guy here. I've been hanging around for a while. Love the look of lifted vans but just can't justify 4WD right now. Mine is a 2008 E350 Wagon with TC2814 front coils that lift the front end 1 5/8", 265/75 16 Nitto Terra Graplers on stock rims and an Auburn LSD. Future plans include some transformer style camper van mods. More to come I'm sure.
Attachments
dwh
Tail-End Charlie
1976 Ford E-250. Story from the PO went like this:
Dad was a Dr. He bought it new as a 12 seat window van. Had it fitted with receivers front and rear for dirt bike racks (two receivers on each end). Took the family camping at Pismo a lot. A few years later decided to have it professionally converted to self-contained. Some years later the Doc had health problems and stopped using it, though he did fire it up once a month and wash it. Eventually he died and the widow let it sit for 15 years untouched.
I saw it. 84k mi. Very faded and dusty, but under the hood after wiping away the dust - very clean! Obviously meticulously maintained. I offered $200 and they took it. Checked fluids, put in a battery and gas and it fired right up. Had a blown freeze plug in back of head (exhaust leak), five minute fix - $1.59. Brand new set of Goodyears ruined with flat spots. Had to get tires anyway, so I got a set of 5 16" wheels (dumped the 16.5s) from a Mexican used tire shop with good used E range mounted and balanced for $250. When I turned on the water pump, the cold valve in the faucet blew out and gave me a shower. Got a high arch bar faucet from Home Depot for $50. Lots more room underneath and it swivels all the way around for washing hands while standing outside. Had new rubber line made for between propane regulator and copper line, new 2-stage regulator as well, $60. After a year, master cylinder, $20. Also house battery, $45 (yes, the 15 y.o. deep cycle marine actually came back to life and lasted a year).
Bubble top, 6'2" inside. Thetford w/10g black and macerator on black drain. 20g fresh water under couch. 22g grey between body and frame on left side. Dinky RV shower. 5g Manchester propane tank between body and frame under sliding door on right side. Norcold 323, nice because no circuit board to burn out or draw power - just run it on straight propane. Runs 3 weeks on high, or 5-6 weeks on low (while boondocking and also cooking with the stove) from the 5g on-board tank. I run it on low because on high it freezes things. Wedgewood 3 burner w/oven w/stainless folding cover and stainless oven door. Suburban 12k furnace (drains the propane and the battery in oh...12 or 14 seconds I guess. Okay, not that bad, but still basically useless for more than a weekend). Surburban 3g water heater. Under hood 460/C6. Engine battery on right, house battery on left with split-charge relay. 100a alternator. Has shore power hookup w/battery charger, I added a 400w inverter. Even still has one of the Eckhart bike racks (fits front or rear). Had a shelf on the outside rear left door for jerry cans, I boxed it in and carry a small gen in it. 22g rear fuel tank and 18g mid tank. Has 3 scissors jacks welded to frame for leveling (manual crank).
Down left side: Driver's seat, 6'6" goucho couch with water heater, fresh water and water pump underneath, fridge cabinet, black tank with toilet on top.
Down right side: Passenger seat, entry from side door, sink, stove, 24"x32" shower pan.
Title says it's a "station wagon". Pics were from the day I bought it, except the one with bike. It's not 4x, but doesn't really need to be. It's made it from Ensenada to San Filipe and back on the Old Road. Good enough. Even has a name. It has badges on it that say, "Club Wagon", but when they cut the hole for the rear access to the fridge, they lopped off the "C" on one of them. So its official name is: "The lub Wagon".
Dad was a Dr. He bought it new as a 12 seat window van. Had it fitted with receivers front and rear for dirt bike racks (two receivers on each end). Took the family camping at Pismo a lot. A few years later decided to have it professionally converted to self-contained. Some years later the Doc had health problems and stopped using it, though he did fire it up once a month and wash it. Eventually he died and the widow let it sit for 15 years untouched.
I saw it. 84k mi. Very faded and dusty, but under the hood after wiping away the dust - very clean! Obviously meticulously maintained. I offered $200 and they took it. Checked fluids, put in a battery and gas and it fired right up. Had a blown freeze plug in back of head (exhaust leak), five minute fix - $1.59. Brand new set of Goodyears ruined with flat spots. Had to get tires anyway, so I got a set of 5 16" wheels (dumped the 16.5s) from a Mexican used tire shop with good used E range mounted and balanced for $250. When I turned on the water pump, the cold valve in the faucet blew out and gave me a shower. Got a high arch bar faucet from Home Depot for $50. Lots more room underneath and it swivels all the way around for washing hands while standing outside. Had new rubber line made for between propane regulator and copper line, new 2-stage regulator as well, $60. After a year, master cylinder, $20. Also house battery, $45 (yes, the 15 y.o. deep cycle marine actually came back to life and lasted a year).
Bubble top, 6'2" inside. Thetford w/10g black and macerator on black drain. 20g fresh water under couch. 22g grey between body and frame on left side. Dinky RV shower. 5g Manchester propane tank between body and frame under sliding door on right side. Norcold 323, nice because no circuit board to burn out or draw power - just run it on straight propane. Runs 3 weeks on high, or 5-6 weeks on low (while boondocking and also cooking with the stove) from the 5g on-board tank. I run it on low because on high it freezes things. Wedgewood 3 burner w/oven w/stainless folding cover and stainless oven door. Suburban 12k furnace (drains the propane and the battery in oh...12 or 14 seconds I guess. Okay, not that bad, but still basically useless for more than a weekend). Surburban 3g water heater. Under hood 460/C6. Engine battery on right, house battery on left with split-charge relay. 100a alternator. Has shore power hookup w/battery charger, I added a 400w inverter. Even still has one of the Eckhart bike racks (fits front or rear). Had a shelf on the outside rear left door for jerry cans, I boxed it in and carry a small gen in it. 22g rear fuel tank and 18g mid tank. Has 3 scissors jacks welded to frame for leveling (manual crank).
Down left side: Driver's seat, 6'6" goucho couch with water heater, fresh water and water pump underneath, fridge cabinet, black tank with toilet on top.
Down right side: Passenger seat, entry from side door, sink, stove, 24"x32" shower pan.
Title says it's a "station wagon". Pics were from the day I bought it, except the one with bike. It's not 4x, but doesn't really need to be. It's made it from Ensenada to San Filipe and back on the Old Road. Good enough. Even has a name. It has badges on it that say, "Club Wagon", but when they cut the hole for the rear access to the fridge, they lopped off the "C" on one of them. So its official name is: "The lub Wagon".
Attachments
TroySmith80
Adventurer
nice, i love these old rigs
partsflyin
Adventurer
Found a used set of MTZ's on cragslist. 315x70x17's and had to try them!:sombrero:
So anywho , some updated pics of "The Spirit" (of adventure)
So anywho , some updated pics of "The Spirit" (of adventure)